Conroy announced last month on his Facebook page that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Conroy has written a dozen books including "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini." On Facebook, Conroy said he has spent his entire life trying to figure out who he is and he doesn't believe he has come close.

He quit drinking in his mid-60s after being hospitalized with a failing liver and high blood pressure. He has struggled with diabetes and other ailments in recent years.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and can be difficult to treat.